Broom with scuff remover

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose cleaning implement that functions both as a broom and a scuff removing device. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plastic base that serves as the attachment point for (i) a plurality of bristles (ii) a handle, and (iii) a device that is useful for removing scuff marks from floors. A first general embodiment of the scuff removing device includes a friction forming material that has been attached to a base or support that includes a rounded or curved forward surface. A second general embodiment of the scuff removing device includes a detachable scuff remover that includes a piece of friction forming material mounted on a base which may be clipped to the end of a broom handle opposite the broom head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/439,244 filed on Jan. 10, 2003 andentitled “Broom with Scuff Remover,” the disclosure of which isincorporated as if fully rewritten herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to cleaning implementsfor industrial or home use, and more specifically to a conventionalbroom that includes an implement useful for removing scuff marks fromfloors.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

[0003] This invention was not made by an agency of the United StatesGovernment nor under contract with an agency of the United StatesGovernment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Brooms and mops are commonplace cleaning devices that have beencommercially available for many years. The usefulness and effectivenessof such cleaning implements is undisputed and many examples ofvariations on the basic design of the broom and the mop are found in theprior art. Numerous versions of mops that include both a mop head(fiber, sponge, or other material) and a separate scrubbing pad are alsofound in the patent prior art. While these devices may be useful forcleaning some surfaces, the scrubber pad is not typically effective orappropriate for use on surfaces such as hardwood or laminate floors.

[0005] Hardwood and laminate floors are often particularly susceptibleto scuff marks left by shoes with rubber soles. These scuff marks areunsightly and are often quite difficult to remove, even when a mildcleaner or solvent is applied to the scuff mark. The average broom ormop is not effective for scuff removal purposes, so after any loosematerial has been swept away, the person cleaning the floor must findanother means for removing any scuff marks that have been left on thesurface being cleaned. Thus, removing scuff marks can prove to be a veryinconvenient and often frustrating task. Therefore, there is a need fora single integrated cleaning device that includes both a generalcleaning head, such as a broom head, and a secondary cleaning surfaceuseful for removing scuff marks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] These and other deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by thepresent invention which provides a multipurpose cleaning implement thatfunctions both as a broom and a scuff removing device. The exemplaryembodiment of the present invention includes a plastic base that servesas the attachment point for a number of other components. A plurality ofbristles is attached to the bottom side of the base, preferably in awedge-shaped configuration. An elongated handle is typically attached tothe uppermost or top portion of the base. Thus, the cleaning implementof the present invention includes the basic features required for it tofunction as a standard broom. However, this invention also includes asecond cleaning implement, namely a scuff removing device that is usefulfor removing scuff marks from floors.

[0007] A first general embodiment of the scuff removing device includesa friction forming material, such as, for example, a piece of tennisball material, that has been attached to a base or support that includesa rounded or curved forward surface. This subassembly may be permanentlyattached to the front portion of the broom base, which in the exemplaryembodiment is specifically formed to receive the scuff removersubassembly, or alternately, the scuff remover may be clipped orotherwise detachably connected to the front, back, or even side portionsof the base of the broom. A second general embodiment of the scuffremoving device includes a detachable scuff removing device thatincludes a piece of friction forming material, such as the outermaterial of a tennis ball, mounted on a base which may be clipped to theend of a broom handle opposite the broom head.

[0008] Further advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form apart of the specification, schematically illustrate one or moreexemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the generaldescription given above and detailed description of the preferredembodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one side of the combination broomand scuff remover of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one side of thecombination broom and scuff remover of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a rear-view of the combination broom and scuff removerof FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a front-view of the combination broom and scuff removerof FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a side-view of the combination broom and scuff removerof FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a top-view of the combination broom and scuff remover ofFIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the end of a broom handle.

[0017]FIG. 7b is a perspective view of a broom handle that includes anattachment for hanging the broom from a hook, nail, or similar device.

[0018]FIG. 7c is a perspective view of the embodiment of the presentinvention that includes a scuff removing device which is mountable onthe end of the broom handle of FIG. 7a or 7 b.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the scuff remover attachment ofFIG. 7c

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention provides a multi-purpose cleaningimplement, the exemplary embodiment of which includes a conventionalbroom head and a second cleaning head or device for removing scuff marksfrom the surface being cleaned. With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 isa perspective view of one side of the exemplary embodiment showing thevarious components of cleaning implement 10. Cleaning implement 10includes a base 12 which receives broom handle 40 and bristles 50 aswell as scuff remover subassembly 30.

[0021] As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, base 12 further includes firstsupport 14, second support 16, and center support 18 all of which areformed integrally with body 21 and provide structural support to base12. Collar 20 is formed integrally with center support 18 and, as shownin FIG. 6, may be threaded internally to correspond to threads (notshown) formed on broom handle 40. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment,broom handle 40 is threaded into collar 20 and tightened to provide ameans by which the end user of cleaning implement 10 may manipulate thedevice.

[0022] In addition to providing the attachment point for the broomhandle, base 12 also provides the surfaces to which a plurality ofbristles 50 are attached. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, top edge 52 ofbristles 50 is attached to the first attachment surface 24 and secondattachment surface 26, both of which are formed on the underside of body21. In the exemplary embodiment, the attachment surfaces are angledslightly in relation to one another for the purpose of creating thewedge-shaped body of bristles shown in the Figures. The slightlyupturned face of second attachment surface 26 allows the front edge ofthe bristle group or body to be angled outward, thereby increasingoverall length of bottom edge 54. Likewise, the slight angle of firstattachment surface 24 allows the rear edge of the bristle group or bodyto be angled outward from the central axis of cleaning implement 10 tofurther increase the overall length of bottom edge 54.

[0023] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, bristles 50can be manufactured by and attached to base 12 by any number of knownprocesses. Bristles 50 can be manufactured from a variety of materialsincluding, for example, vinyl, plastic, and straw. Base 12 is typicallymolded plastic or polymer and may be manufactured using any of a varietyof known manufacturing techniques:

[0024] Again with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the exemplary embodimentof base 12 further includes contoured neck 29 which is formed to receivescuff remover subassembly 30. As best shown in FIG. 2, scuff removersubassembly 30 is attachable to or mountable on neck 29. Neck 29 isformed to correspond to the shape of collar 33 and scuff removersubassembly 30 is mounted on base 12 by engaging these two structuralmembers. Scuff remover subassembly 30 is correctly mounted on body 21when it is pushed forward such that it contacts ridge 28. Scuff removersubassembly 30 may be mounted on base 12 permanently, or it may bedetachable. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, scuffremover subassembly 30 is mountable on the rear portion 22 (see FIG. 3)of body 21. In some embodiments of the present invention, scuff removersubassembly 30 is a disposable item that may be replaced when it is nolonger effective at removing scuff marks.

[0025] Scuff remover subassembly 30 includes base 32, collar 33, andcleaning surface 34. As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, an exemplaryembodiment of base 32 includes a forward-facing, curved surface areathat serves as the substrate to which cleaning surface 34 is attached.Cleaning surface 34 is typically a separate piece of material that isglued or otherwise bonded to the curved surface of base 32. Preferably,the material of cleaning surface 34 is polyester, acrylic, polymer, orelastomer impregnated with wool fibers, similar or even identical to thematerial used for tennis balls. However, other combinations of naturalor synthetic fibers attached to a pliable, rubberized base are possiblefor use as cleaning surface 34. In an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, a piece of tennis ball material is cut to size andglued to the curved surface area of base 32 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and4. However, it should be noted that any material that forms frictionsufficient to remove scuff marks from the floor or other surface to becleaned is compatible with this invention.

[0026] Cleaning implement 10 offers the user two separate but integrateddevices or tools for cleaning surfaces such as hardwood, laminate, tile,linoleum, or concrete floors. The user may remove loose dust and dirt bysweeping the surface in the typical manner. To remove scuff marks fromthe surface, the user simply rotates the handle of the cleaningimplement 10 to turn base 12 such that cleaning surface 34 of scuffremover subassembly 30 is touching the surface to be cleaned. Byapplying force in a downward and back and forth or side-to-side manner,the scuff mark may be removed.

[0027] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 7a-c and FIG. 8. This embodiment of the present invention includesan attachment 70 that has been formed to fit on the end of the broomhandle opposite base 12. Attachment 70 includes cleaning surface 72 forremoving scuff marks, and bracket 74 and first and second arms 76 and 78respectively for securing attachment 70 to the broom handle. Thisdetachable embodiment is compatible with bare wood handles such as thatshown in FIG. 7a, as well broom handles that include a hangersubassembly 60 such as that shown in FIG. 7b. An exemplary embodiment ofhanger subassembly 60 includes collar 62, swivel collar 64, and anaperture 66 for receiving a nail, hook, or other device for hanging thebroom. As shown in FIG. 8, attachment 70 simply clips onto handle 40 andfits securely on top of hanger subassembly 60 as shown in the drawing.

[0028] Attachment 70 is used by simply clipping the device to the broomhandle and flipping the entire broom over such that cleaning surface 72is touching the surface to be cleaned. By applying force in a downwardand back and forth or side-to-side manner, the scuff mark may beremoved.

[0029] While the above description contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as exemplification of certain preferred embodiments. Numerousother variations of the present invention are possible, and is notintended herein to mention all of the possible equivalent forms orramifications of this invention. Various changes may be made to thepresent invention without departing from the scope or spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed:
 1. A cleaning implement, comprising: (a) a base; (b) aplurality of bristles attached to said base; and (c) a scuff removingmeans attachable to said base, said scuff removing means furthercomprising a friction forming device for removing scuffs marks fromfloors and other surfaces.
 2. The cleaning implement of claim 1, furthercomprising a handle attached to said base.
 3. The cleaning implement ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of bristles is attached to said basesubstantially in the shape of a wedge.
 4. The cleaning implement ofclaim 1, wherein said friction forming device further comprises a base,and wherein said base further comprises a curved portion upon which saidscuff removing means is formed or mounted.
 5. The cleaning implement ofclaim 1, wherein said friction forming device further comprises apliable substrate, and wherein at least one side of said substrate iscovered with natural fibers or synthetic fibers.
 6. The cleaningimplement of claim 1, wherein said friction forming device is attachedto the front portion of said base, the rear portion of said base, or toeither side of said base.
 7. A cleaning implement, comprising: (a) abase, wherein said base further comprises top and bottom portions andfront and rear portions; (b) a plurality of bristles attached to saidbottom portion of said base; and (c) a scuff removing means attachableto said front or rear portions of said base, said scuff removing meansfurther comprising a friction forming device for removing scuffs marksfrom floors and other surfaces.
 8. The cleaning implement of claim 7,further comprising a handle attached to said top portion of said base.9. The cleaning implement of claim 7, wherein said plurality of bristlesis attached to said base substantially in the shape of a wedge.
 10. Thecleaning implement of claim 7, wherein said friction forming devicefurther comprises a base, and wherein said base further comprises acurved portion upon which said scuff removing means is formed ormounted.
 11. The cleaning implement of claim 7, wherein said frictionforming device further comprises a pliable substrate, and wherein atleast one side of said substrate is covered with natural fibers orsynthetic fibers.
 12. A scuff-removing device, comprising: (a) a base;(b) a cleaning surface attached to or formed on said base, said cleaningsurface further comprising a friction forming means for removing scuffsmarks from floors and other surfaces; and (c) a clip for attaching saidbase to the handle of a broom, mop, or the like.
 13. The device of claim12, wherein said scuff removing means further comprises a pliablesubstrate, and wherein at least one side of said substrate is coveredwith natural fibers or synthetic fibers.